Report on EBSB Day Observation for the month of June’2020

Date: 5th June, 2020

Adhering to the protocol of observing EBSB Day every month, the EBSB Club of IIT-G observed the EBSB Day for

the month of June on 5th June, 2020. During this time of pandemic, since all the students are lock downed at their own

respective homes across the country, so the EBSB Club of IIT-Guwahati decided to observe the EBSB Day for the month

of June in light of the “World Environment Day”. In accordance to the theme of this year’s World Environment Day, 2020 i.e

“Time for Nature”, the students of IIT-Guwahati graciously took out time for the nature in spite of their upcoming exams. The

idea germinated from the fact that if we analysis the student profile of IIT-Guwahati, the institute enjoys a culturally and

geographically diverse student population. So as of now, all these students from different states of the country who are

currently enrolled in different curriculums at IIT-Guwahati are at their respective homes. But even staying at home we can

virtually come as one to mark the World Environment Day by planting trees at our respective places. This way the students

from different states will come together as one India (Ek Bharat) and take a small step to contribute towards making India

the best (Shreshtha Bharat) and at the same time standing in solidarity with those suffering from the global pandemic.

EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA

BHARAT CLUB

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, GUWAHATI

We are all aware that the environment has taken the brunt of man’s inhumanity to his own surrounding. Studies show

that in India, at least 1-1.5% of our GDP is being lost in catering to the consequences of a bad environment. This should be

an absolute warning cry to us that the World Environment Day is a reminder for “Your environment, my environment and

our environment”. It is a day upon which, for more than over forty years, people around the world advocated and acted for

a healthy environment. But slowly and slowly, it is also true that there has been a growing consensus among the people

about the concern of the environment. It is also strikingly true that a youthful India could very well offer the nation a unique

and powerful engine that can drive our global aspirations in the 21st century. We can’t neglect the demographic dividend of

our country when the 65% of the population is young and the average age of India in 2020 is 29 only. We strongly believe

that a progressive young student society from all corners of India should definitely take up the baton and stand out as a tall

flame of nationhood, thus feeling all culturally integrated and fostering a sense of common identity. This is only possible if

a common spirit of understanding mutual interaction & reciprocity resonates throughout the country.

Even our culture has always taught us dispositional empathy and compassion towards nature. In this context,

mention can be made of a Sanskrit Sloka from our ancient texts, which goes as-

“Kaale Barshetu Paarjaanye haa; Prithvi Saashyashalini

Deshohaayam Shobhrahitaa ; Saddjjyannaha Shantu Nirbhayaah..”

Which translates to-

“May the rains be timely and plentiful. May this earth be adorned with crops and covered with vegetation.

May there be no problems and may only peace prevail in this country. May good people be fearless and live without fear...”

Keeping this very message in our hearts and minds, this “World Environment Day” the students of IIT-G across the country

came together as one family and planted trees at their own respective places. Even our campus of IIT-Guwahati, located

within the close proximity of the mighty Brahmaputra and blessed with a lush green ambience with mountains & lakes has

always advocated us to inculcate a caring attitude towards nature. The rich and varied green landscape of IIT Guwahati

continued to serve as a rich source of inspiration to take up this move. It was just like we have to extend this culture and

carry forward at our own places too. The students planted different trees from Tulsi, Neem, Ditch Stonecrop, Debodaaru,

Peepal, Papaya, Pomegranate, Lemon, Jaamun and the list goes on. The photographs of the students planting different

saplings are shown as below in the next page-

North India-:

Ankita,New Delhi Pankaj,Dehradun(Uttarakhand) Sadaival,Chandigarh(Punjab)

Divya,Muzzafarnagar(Uttar Pradesh) Kumar Shanu,Barauni(Bihar) Satyam,Motihari(Bihar)

Shivam,Azamgarh(Uttar Pradesh) Mitansha,Patna(Bihar) Mayank,Chhibramau(Uttar Pradesh)

Western India-:

Jay,Jodhpur(Rajasthan) Ashish,Mumbai(Maharashtra) Amit,Bhilwara(Rajasthan)

Vatsal,Surat(Gujrat) Pooja,Sangli(Maharashtra) Ankit,Pali(Rajasthan)

Central India-:

Nihal,Betul(Madhya Pradesh) Shivani,Jabalpur(Madhya Pradesh) Sanjay,Guna(Madhya Pradesh)

Vishal, Ujjain(Madhya Pradesh) Nihal,Korba(Chhattisgarh)

South India-:

Shiva, Ballari(Karnataka) Goutham,Hyderabad(Telangana) Dhiliphan Madhav,Arani(Tamil Nadu)

Vijaya,Mangalore(Karnataka) Satish VH,Bangalore(Karnataka)

Eastern India-:

Dheejyoti,Guwahati(Assam) Kaustabh,Kolkata(Howrah,West Bengal) Dusu,Ziro(Arunachal Pradesh)

Mousumi,Tangla(Assam) Sapunii Sebastian,Senapati(Manipur) Sreshtha,Agartala(Tripura)

Kamal Narayan,Sarbhog(Assam) Dibojit,Dibrugarh(Assam) Nabaneeroj,Tezpur(Assam) Gaurishankar,Jorhat(Assam)

Holding on to a chapter from the past, when Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel in space was asked by then PM of India on

how our country looked from outer space. The then Wing Commander Sharma replied in response, “Saare Jahan Se Achcha”.

On a childlike imagination, this World Environment Day, a young and vibrant India also looked something like this-

The photo collage on the map of India was designed by Saurav Khuttiya Deori, a PHD scholar from Dept of Design,IIT-Guwahati.

The students further went on to identify 10 important medicinal plants from both the states. The plants were chosen keeping

its medicinal as well as its market value in mind.The plants are enlisted as below-:

Important plants of Rajasthan-:

Sl.No Local Name Scientific Name Medicinal Use/Market Value

1. Brahmi Bacopa Monnieri

Brahmi has been in usage for generations and is widely beneficial in treating various health conditions as recommended by Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and other alternative medicines across the world.

Brahmi has been hailed as a memory booster for several centuries for increasing focus and attention. It is also used in improving pulmonary function and to treat various respiratory issues like congestion, bronchitis, cold, sinusitis.

The juice of Brahmi acts as an instant healer in treating wounds and disinfecting the affected area and also recommended for diabetics.

2. Dhatura Datura Metel Linn

They are still widely used and have considerable importance in international trade. Plants are important for pharmacological research and drug development

Although careful consideration of the toxicity of the plant is required before its use but it is useful in curing many diseases such as asthma, cough, fever, inflammations, edema, neuralgia, insanity, myalgia, hyperacidity, duodenal ulcer, renal colic, calculi, and dysmenorrhea. Even the roots are used for bites of rabid dogs.

Ethanolic extracts of Datura leaves exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe Barbadensis

Aloe vera plant has been known and used for centuries

for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care

properties.

It contains 75 potentially active constituents which act

as potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, ant-

allergic, laxative, analgesic, antibacterial and antiviral,

cleansing and antiseptic properties.

4. Gurmar Gymnema Sylvestre

It is a reputed herb in the Ayurvedic system of

medicine, which is also known as sugar destroyer.

The herb can be used as an effective remedy for

diabetes, besides being used for arthritis, diuretic,

anemia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia,

cardiopathy, asthma, constipation, microbial

infections, indigestion and anti-inflammatory.

The herbal extract is used in dietary supplements since

it reduces body weight, blood cholesterol, and

triglyceride levels and holds great prospects in dietary

as well as pharmacological applications.

5. Hemp/Bhaang/ Marijuana

Cannabis Sativa

The plant has been used for medicinal purposes in

many cultures for hundreds of years, for example for

the treatment of pain, spasms, asthma, insomnia,

depression, and loss of appetite.

It is occasionally recomended for the treatment

of epilepsy.

In many countries, it is approved for clinical use for the

treatment of nausea and vomiting associated

with cancer chemotherapy, anorexia in HIV/AIDS,

and spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

6. Neem Azadiracta Indica

The plant has been extensively used in Ayurveda,

Unani and Homoeopathic medicine.

All parts of the plant, viz- leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits,

roots and bark have been used traditionally for the

treatment of inflammation, infections, fever, skin

diseases and dental disorders.

Neem leaf and its constituents exhibit

immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti

hyperglucmic, antiulcer, antimalarial, antifungal,

antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antimutagenic and

anticarcinogenic properties.

7. Kalmegh Andrographis Paniculata

The plant is one of the most popular medicinal plants

used traditionally for the treatment of array of diseases

such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, ulcer,

leprosy, bronchitis, skin diseases, flatulence, colic,

influenza, dysentery, dyspepsia and malaria for

centuries.

Extract and pure compounds of the plant have been

reported for their anti-microbial, cytotoxicity, anti-

protozoan, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant,

immunostimulant, anti-diabetic, anti-infective, anti-

angiogenic, hepato-renal protective, sex

hormone/sexual function modulation, liver enzymes

modulation insecticidal and toxicity activities.

8. Purnanava Boerhavia Diffusa

It is a renowned medicinal plants used to treat large

number of human ailments as mentioned in Ayurveda,

Charaka Samhita, and Sushrita Samhita.

Plant parts are used by endemic and tribal people in

India and Unani medicine in Arab countries to show

Anti-bacterial, Anti-nociceptive, hepato-protective,

hypo-glycemic, anti-proliferative, anti-estrogenic, anti-

inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anti-stress and anti-

metastatic activities and also in treatment of stress,

dyspepsia, abdominal pain, inflammation and

jaundice.

9. Indian

copperleaf

Acalypha indica

The plant is used for several therapeutic treatments.

Decoction of the leaf is used to treat earache and

infections.

The paste of the leaves is applied for skin infections.

Besides the plant have many pharmacological

activities, such as an anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial,

anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, anti-hyperlipidemic,

diuretic, and anti-helminthic.

It is also a good cure for respiratory problems,

rheumatoid arthritis, scabies and treatment of insect

bites.

10. Devils

Horsewhip

Achyranthus aspera

The plant is used in indigenous system of medicine

as emenagogue, antiarthritic, antifertility, laxative,

ecbolic, abentifacient, anti-helminthic, aphrodisiac,

antiviral, anti-plasmodic, antihypertensive,

anticoagulant, diuretic and anti-tumor.

It is also useful to treat cough, renal dropsy, fistula,

scrofula, skin rash, nasal, infection, chronic malaria,

impotence, fever, asthma, piles and snake bites.

This plant is astringent, digestive and stomachic and

treatment of boils, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids,

rheumatic pains, itches and skin eruptions.

Fig- Photo Collage of Medicinal Plants of Rajasthan in the map of Rajasthan

Important Plants of Assam-:

Sl. No Local Name Scientific Name Medicinal Use/Market Value

1. Tulsi/Tulokhi/ Basil

Ocimum sanctum

The compound eugenol present in Basil leaves when ingested

provides anti-inflammatory action in the digestive tract.

Helps to maintain acid in the body and thus maintain pH.

The paste of leaves when applied to skin act as good skin

cleanser and its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties

prevents formation of acne.

Low amount consumption of basil helps in slow release of sugar

in the blood which is good for diabetics.

2. Bos Acorus calamus

Rhizome of the plant possesses aromatic, stimulant, expectorant,

laxative, diuretic, carminative and anthelmintic properties.

It is also used for kidney and liver troubles, rheumatism, and

eczema. The stem is used in cough, cold and toothache.

The rhizomes are used in the form of powder, balms and pills.

The leaves are used on wounds to kill worms. The rhizome is

useful in diseases of nervous system, throat, and diarrheal

diseases. It is also used for protection against smallpox,

ringworm, in respiratory and gastrointestinal tract diseases and

snakebite, in gout and rheumatism and in dysmenorrhea.

3. Kala Haldhi Curcuma caesia

Fresh and dried rhizome of C. Caesia is used for the treatment of

many diseases such as piles, nausea, fertility, cancer, fever,

cough, cold, hemorrhoids, leprosy, asthma, epilepsy, wound,

vomiting and it also helps in curing menstrual disorder.

The paste of its rhizome is also used in the treatment of arthritis.

It also helps in curing gonorrheal discharges, inflammation and

as an aphrodisiac.

It can be used as smooth muscle relaxant and it also possess

depressant activity of central nervous system.

4. Giloy Tinospora cardifolia

The plant is of great importance across the globe because of its

different medicinal properties.

The extract is extensively used in various herbal preparations for

the treatment of different ailments such as anti-diabetic, anti-

periodic, anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, anti-osteoporotic, anti-

inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-allergic, anti-stress, anti-leprotic,

immunomodulatory and anti-neoplastic activities.

5. Ginger Zingiber officinale

Ginger extract posses high percentage of α-Zingiberene, β-

sesquiphellandrene, (E,E)- α-farnesene, geranial and ar-

curcumene as major components, which are sources of

pesticides, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.

This plant has got different properties such as anti-diabetic,

antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

6. Nephaphu Clerodendrum

colebrookianum

The use of young and tender leaves as decoction for

antihypertensive purpose is the most common form of

ethnomedicinal application for the species of C .colebrookianum

among all ethnic tribes and communities in the region.

It is also used in the treatment of hypertension by different tribes

of north east India. Leaves and roots are used by Manipuri tribes

for skin diseases, cough, and dysentery.

The tribal natives of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram use the

leaf juice mixed with garlic extract to treat blood pressure or

cooked leaf is taken for the same.

7. Chirata Swertia chirayita

The plant is used in traditional medicine to treat numerous

ailments such as liver disorders, malaria, and diabetes and is

reported to have a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties.

The wide range of medicinal uses include the treatment of chronic

fever, malaria, anemia, bronchial asthma, hepatotoxic disorders,

liver disorders, hepatitis, gastritis, constipation, dyspepsia, skin

diseases, worms, epilepsy, ulcers, scanty urine, hypertension,

melancholia, and certain types of mental disorders.

8. Lemongrass Cymbopogon flexuosus The plant is used in beverages, foodstuffs, household products;

as pesticide, fungicide, insect repellent and as ingredient in

medicine.

Lemongrass oil has found a wide range of applications; as

flavouring agents, in pharmaceutical and perfumery industries

and in synthesis of Vitamin A.

Lemongrass contains substances that are thought to relieve pain

and swelling, reduce fever, improve levels of sugar and

cholesterol in the blood, stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow,

and have antioxidant properties.

9. Indian snakeroot

Rauwolfia serpentina

Rauwolfia alkaloids are used in the treatment of hypertension.

Reserpine is used to treat high blood pressure.

It also is used to treat severe agitation in patients with mental

disorders.

The root of the plant is ground into a powder or sold in tablets or

capsules. It is a compound commonly used in Asian medicine,

which includes traditional Ayurvedic medicine native to India.

10. Kotahi Bengena

Solanum khasianum

The plant is of commercial and medicinal importance because of

its high content of steroidal alkaloids such as solasodine and its

triglycosides solasonine and solamargine.

In pharmaceutical industry solasodine has become increasingly

interesting as a valuable starting compound for the synthesis of

steroid hormones, such as cortisone and oral contraceptives.

Fig-Photo collage of important medicinal plants of Assam in the map of Assam

Fig- Photo Collage of Medicinal Plants of Assam in the map of Assam